The enthronement ceremony proceeded smoothly. Besides Tianlin, the others were also rewarded according to merit.
Starting tomorrow, free martial soul awakening for all children across the continent and the issuance of soul master stipends would be directly handled by the Empire. From now on, Spirit Hall had only one duty: oversight.
They would oversee all soul masters. Anyone committing crimes, once evidence was verified, would be punished per imperial law. No more arbitrary "execute first, report later." Command of the soul master legions and the army would no longer rest with Spirit Hall but be directly under the Empire.
All sects under heaven—Clear Sky, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, even the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—would be subject to Spirit Hall's oversight.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was somewhat special, granted the title of Guardian Divine Sect, with much richer resources than others. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan also received many rewards for their great service in the unification.
Tianlin didn't hide this bit of private inclination. The root reason he had conceived of unifying the continent back then was for his family—to give them better lives. Of course, per imperial law, the more gratuitous resources one received, the greater the restrictions.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect could have everything while doing nothing. Under such circumstances, if anyone still grew insatiable and committed crimes, or relied on Tianlin's name to violate the law, their punishment would far exceed that of ordinary soul masters.
Ning Fengzhi agreed. No matter how fast a sect developed, it needed checks; otherwise, things reverse at the extreme—decay follows the peak.
The Clear Sky Sect had it worse. After Xue Beng's massacre, they still chose to help him and should have been sentenced to extermination. Fortunately, at the last moment, Tang Xiao turned back and aided Yu Yuanzhen in defeating the Bat King, helping to bring about unification. Also, none of the actual butchers were directly from the Clear Sky Sect, so Tianlin could spare them.
However, while Tianlin was willing to spare their lives, Liu Erlong was not so forgiving. In her heart, it was Tang Xiao who killed Yu Xiaogang with his own hands. She kept clamoring to kill Tang Xiao in retribution.
Tianlin couldn't be bothered with that. With her strength, she couldn't do anything to the Clear Sky Sect, and for Yu Tianheng's sake, the Clear Sky Sect wouldn't kill her either. Most likely, they'd just be pestered for years to come.
Also, all the privileges the Clear Sky Sect had enjoyed in the Heaven Dou Empire were gone. For decades, they would even lag behind the Saint Dragon Sect in development. The small sects that once relied on them scattered like birds and beasts. As expected, those forces weren't truly loyal to the Clear Sky Sect; they'd only been seeking shelter under a big tree.
Tang Xiao and Tang Yuehua had little to say and didn't dare voice objections. Their choices had led to this outcome—karma. Keeping their lives and avoiding clan extermination was already very good.
Soon, rewards and punishments were all announced. Then Gu Ran suddenly said, "Your Majesty, a nation cannot go a day without an empress. Shouldn't you decide on your empress?"
Tianlin froze. He wasn't going to be emperor for long; he'd only taken the role because Spirit Hall and the other great powers recognized only him. With such a short tenure, was an empress necessary?
Moreover, Qian Renxue was right here—wasn't this picking a fight?
As Tianlin expected, Qian Renxue—who had ceased to care about most things—had her eyes light up at the word "empress." She knew the position likely wouldn't be hers, but what if? Maybe, compared to Ning Rongrong, Tianlin felt she was more suitable as empress.
In truth, that was exactly what Tianlin thought. Compared to the little demoness Ning Rongrong, Qian Renxue was more suited to be mother of the nation in every aspect. But he didn't plan to be emperor for long—what use was an empress suited to rule? At this moment, private feelings took priority.
Gu Ran could not be unaware of this. When Tianlin saw the smile at the corner of Gu Ran's eyes, he instantly understood—Gu Ran was doing this on purpose. This little brother was trouble.
His aim was obvious: for Ning Rongrong. Gu Ran was loyal to Tianlin, but also to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Ning Rongrong had always been his big sis. Lately, she hadn't been by Tianlin's side, while Qian Renxue had. He feared Tianlin would gradually lean toward Qian Renxue, so he wanted to help cement Ning Rongrong's position.
Tianlin smiled helplessly and announced on the spot that the first empress of the Douluo Empire would be Ning Rongrong. Qian Renxue's gaze dimmed instantly. Seeing this, Tianlin shot Gu Ran a look that said, I'll settle accounts with you later.
Gu Ran was already channeling his inner coward, ready to bolt as soon as the ceremony ended and return after the boss cooled down. He had no choice—before becoming the next emperor, he was first a disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. In that capacity, securing benefits for the sect's heir was reasonable.
He was never afraid that Tianlin would bestow the empress title on Qian Renxue at such a moment. He knew his boss too well.
At dusk, after the ceremony, Tianlin went to Qian Renxue to apologize.
Unexpectedly, Qian Renxue said with some dissatisfaction, "Xiao Tian, you came to apologize to me for this? Do I look that petty?"
"I was disappointed, yes, but that was just feminine envy. Honestly, I don't care about the empress position. Compared to me, who has always kept a clear line, your bond with Ning Rongrong—who has stayed by your side—is much deeper. I understand that very well."
Tianlin smiled. "Sister Xue, your state of mind seems much calmer."
"Yes. Since the dust has settled and Spirit Hall lost, then we lost. I can finally let go." Qian Renxue showed a more beautiful smile born of relief, leaned into Tianlin's arms, and said, "From now on, I won't care about anything else—only you, Grandpa, and Mother. I have only one goal: to rescue Mother from evil."
"I'll do everything I can to help," Tianlin promised.
"Mm! Right, Xiao Tian, let me show you something." Qian Renxue remembered and took out a radiant crimson blossom from her bosom: the Yearning Heartbroken Red.
"It bloomed! Sister Xue, you finally succeeded in picking it!" Tianlin was overjoyed. This peerless divine flower would no longer gather dust.
"Sister Xue, aren't you going to consume it? This flower greatly aids your godhood inheritance too. The deeper your foundation before the inheritance, the stronger you'll be after ascension. Don't tell me you can't bear to eat it and want to keep it?"
Tianlin didn't want Qian Renxue to be like the original Xiao Wu, keeping the flower as a keepsake. As the king of flowers, its effect surpassed all other immortal herbs—wasting it would be a shame. Be practical. Besides, Qian Renxue still had many battles ahead; the stronger, the better.
Qian Renxue smiled. "Relax, Xiao Tian. I'm not that unrealistic. I'm keeping it just to show you. Before the inheritance, I'll definitely take it, then use Angelic divine power to fully refine its medicinal effects."
Hearing this, Tianlin was relieved. With the Yearning Heartbroken Red's aid, Qian Renxue's godhood inheritance would go even more smoothly.